Houston Chronicle makes its election recommendations

By Houston Chronicle Editorial Board

on February 12, 2016 4:58 PM

The Houston Chronicle editorial board has met with dozens of candidates over the past several weeks and made endorsements in the upcoming Democratic and Republican primaries. Take a look at all the endorsements before heading to the polls. less

The Houston Chronicle editorial board has met with dozens of candidates over the past several weeks and made endorsements in the upcoming Democratic and Republican primaries. Take a look at all the endorsements ... more

This man belongs nowhere near the White House. Not only is he unfit to be president, but he's a danger to this nation and everything for which it stands. Republican voters in Texas and 11 other states have an opportunity on Tuesday to repudiate him. We believe it's their patriotic duty to do just that.

Our concern has nothing to do with partisan politics. It has to do with allowing someone so manifestly unsuited for the presidency, regardless of party, to get so close to it. It's a concern more and more Republicans share.

For President - Republican: Say no to Trump This man...photo-9475977.125019 - |ucfirst

For President - Democrat: Hillary Clinton

Clinton, 68, was elected twice as senator from New York and served for five years as secretary of state under President Barack Obama. Throughout these roles, and even in her unofficial role as first lady, Clinton has proven herself a steely leader and well-informed policy wonk. If elected, we believe she will continue the balanced priorities of an Obama administration that's overseen steady economic growth, a 5 percent unemployment rate and 17 million people with health insurance who didn't have it before.

The wealthy and highly educated 7th District, which stretches from West University through the Galleria to the Energy Corridor then north to Jersey Village, has the potential to elect a Republican who can represent our city's interests on a national scale. We believe James Lloyd can be that representative.

You don't have to agree with Brady on all the issues - and we don't - to acknowledge that he's a fair-minded, influential and effective elected official. To replace him simply because he thinks for himself and doesn't always adhere to tea-party orthodoxy would be extremely short-sighted.

Green pays close attention to his constituents and is familiar with the need for jobs, educational opportunity and health care in a district where roughly 24 percent of the residents struggle to get by on incomes below the poverty level. In Washington, he wields what power and influence he can in a calcified Congress controlled by Republicans, serving as a member of the Energy and Commerce Committee and as the ranking Democrat on the Subcommittee on Health.

Hickman, 64, has a long career in law enforcement. He joined the Houston Police Department in 1971, was elected Constable of Precinct 4 in 2000, and was then appointed in May to fill the vacancy left by former Sheriff Adrian Garcia who resigned to run for mayor.

Democrat - Ed Gonzalez

In Ed Gonzalez, Democratic Party primary voters have a candidate with broad experience in law enforcement and governance. Gonzalez's resume includes three terms as councilman of District H, and 18 years in the Houston Police Department, including time spent as a homicide investigator and a hostage negotiator.

Christian is a hydrogeologist who currently works for the commission. Unlike many of the politicians in this race, he keeps a focus on the straight and narrow duties of the commission: preserving the safety of Texans and our environment, and fostering the oil and gas industry. Where Christian has scientific experience, Greytok has legal expertise. He understands the legal aspects of the commission's rulemaking and is also endorsed by former Land Commissioner Jerry Patterson.

Democrat - Lon Burnam

Burnam, who served in the House for 18 years, including time spent on the Energy Resources Committee, is knowledgeable about the issues and well-qualified for his party's nomination.

Willis' experience as a former staffer in the Legislature and as a social worker in Houston gives her a comprehensive view of the ways in which government programs can impact neighborhoods. Willis, 31, places specific focus on criminal justice issues, especially juvenile justice. As a behavioral specialist with the Harris County juvenile probation department, her expertise would be a fine addition to a legislature that looks ready to tackle criminal justice reform. She was also the only candidate willing to address Houston's pension problems head-on.

For state House District 139 - Kimberly Willis...photo-9338421.125019 - |ucfirst

For state House District 27 - Steve Brown

With 15 years of experience in politics and public affairs, including an unsuccessful run for the District 27 seat in 2006, he's conversant with issues that resonate in this diverse, fast-growing district, including education and school finance, health care and economic development.

For state House District 27 - Steve Brown With 15 years of...photo-8246363.125019 - |ucfirst

For State Representative - Republicans

District 27: Ken Bryant

GOP primary voters in this Sugar Land-area district may be familiar with our pick for this race, Ken Bryant, a criminal defense lawyer in Fort Bend County.

District 127: Dan Huberty

GOP primary voters should support incumbent Dan Huberty, who was first elected to represent the Kingwood area in 2010. Uncontested in his 2014 race, Huberty, 47, has served on several Texas House committees, including the Select Committee on Transportation Funding, Expenditures & Finance.

District 130: Tom Oliverson

Voters should give Dr. Tom Oliverson a chance to compete to represent the fast growing Tomball-Cypress area. As an anti-abortion advocate and supporter of Second Amendment rights, Oliverson, an anesthesiologist, meets the litmus test for a "Christian conservative."

District 134: Sarah Davis

If Republicans want to nominate someone who can win the general election in this wealthy, highly-educated district of the Heights, River Oaks, West University, Bellaire and Meyerland, Davis is their best choice.

Cris Hernandez, a projects coordinator for a fiber optics company, is making his second bid for the northwest Harris County district that's surrounded by Jersey Village, Cypress, Tomball and Spring.

District 131: Alma A. Allen

Incumbent Alma A. Allen is seeking her seventh term representing this southwest Houston District that includes part of Missouri City, and we believe she well deserves to be returned to Austin.

District 137: Gene Wu

His southwest Houston district of Gulfton and Sharpstown might as well be the Ellis Island of Houston, serving as home to the waves of immigrants that come to our nation in search of freedom and safety.

District 148: Jessica Cristina Farrar

With 22 years in office, Jessica Farrar has become the 10th most senior state representative in Austin. And now that Sylvester Turner has left Austin for City Hall, Democrats are going to need all the seniority and institutional knowledge they can muster.

District 149: Hubert Vo

First elected in 2004, Vo has grown comfortable as an advocate for economic development. His diverse district stretches from Alief to the Energy Corridor on Interstate 10.

For State Representative - Democrats District 126: Cris...photo-9380127.125019 - |ucfirst

For District Court

80th District Court: Ken Shortreed

Not often do we screen a candidate with the breadth of work experience possessed by Ken Shortreed, whom we endorse for this bench.

125th District Court: L. A. Olson

Although the voters in the Republican primary in Harris County can't go wrong in this race, we are recommending L. A. Olson, who seeks the opportunity to run against incumbent Judge Kyle Carter in the general election in November.

178th District Court: Xavier Alfaro

In the talented and crowded field of candidates seeking the opportunity to replace Judge David Mendoza, who is vacating this bench, Xavier Alfaro, 40, stands out as the most qualified in the Republican primary.

151st District Court: Jeff Hastings

Our choice in the Republican primary is Jeff Hastings. Hastings has been practicing law for more than 25 years in state and federal court.

339th District Court: Mary McFaden

Mary McFaden is our choice for this criminal district court. McFaden would bring a unique perspective and specialized training to the court, as she is responsible for reviewing and prosecuting all types of cases that affect elders in our community.

Republican Party voters should cast their ballots for Leuchtag. Before he was appointed to this position in June 2015 to fill a vacancy, Leuchtag, 53, worked at the Harris County Attorney's office as legal counsel and had served as trial division chief.

F. Richard Leach for Democrats

Leach, 61, has spent the past 26 years working as a trial attorney, including extensive work in the civil courts at law. Now in private practice, Leach began his career as an assistant county attorney.

Oldner began his career as a prosecutor before joining the Collin County Court at Law bench in 2000, and then was appointed to the 416th District Court in 2003. Beyond his direct experience, we're particularly impressed by his position as the co-chair on the judicial disproportionality workgroup under the Supreme Court of Texas Permanent Judicial Commission for Children, Youth and Families.

Place 5: Sid Harle

In a flip of the usual career path, Harle worked as a defense attorney before moving to the prosecutor's office in San Antonio. A graduate of St. Mary's School of Law, he was appointed to the district court in 1988 and in that position Harle set important precedents that were later adopted nationwide.

Justice Lehrmann won her first election to this seat in 2010 after being appointed by Gov. Rick Perry. Since then she's developed a reputation as a hardworking and respected justice with impeccable credentials.

Place 5: Justice Paul Green

Justice Paul Green has spent 12 years serving on the Texas Supreme Court, and before that he was on the Fourth Court of Appeals in San Antonio for 10 years. We don't agree with all his decisions in that time, but he falls well within the norm for Texas justices.

Place 9: Justice Eva Guzman

Justice Guzman is one of the most respected justices in our state's legal system. The first Latina to serve on the high court, she grew up the daughter of an immigrant welder and a cleaning woman and today she stands as a model of what Texans from humble beginnings can achieve through hard work and ambition.

Democratic voters face a choice between two strong candidates for Harris County district attorney. But while Morris Overstreet can look back and reflect on a distinguished career, Kim Ogg is the candidate in this primary who most clearly articulates specific recommendations for the future.

Sullivan developed a fine reputation during his time representing District E on Houston City Council, and time in county government hasn't changed his character. Vote for Sullivan.

Democrat - Brandon Dudley

Dudley currently serves as chief of staff and general counsel for state Sen. Rodney Ellis, D-Houston, and that experience in the state Legislature is apparent. A graduate of the University of Houston Law Center with a background in social work, Dudley is a regular policy wonk.

The Houston Chronicle editorial board has met with dozens of candidates over the past several weeks and made endorsements in the upcoming Democratic and Republican primaries. Take a look at all the endorsements before heading to the polls. less

The Houston Chronicle editorial board has met with dozens of candidates over the past several weeks and made endorsements in the upcoming Democratic and Republican primaries. Take a look at all the endorsements ... more